because, &c . Compare Genesis 32:3 ; Genesis 33:6-8 ; Genesis 36:8 . Joshua 24:4 . a possession. Hebrew. yarash (because given). Also in verses: Deuteronomy 2:9 , Deuteronomy 2:12 , Deuteronomy 2:19 , Deuteronomy 2:20 , &c.; in Deut, not 'ahaz (because seized), as in other books; though 'ahaz is used in Ch. Deuteronomy 32:49 . read more
5-7. Meddle not with them—that is, "which dwell in Seir" ( :-) —for there was another branch of Esau's posterity, namely, the Amalekites, who were to be fought against and destroyed (Genesis 36:12; Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17). But the people of Edom were not to be injured, either in their persons or property. And although the approach of so vast a nomadic horde as the Israelites naturally created apprehension, they were to take no advantage of the prevailing terror to compel the Edomites... read more
2. The march from Kadesh to the Amorite frontier 2:1-23Following Israel’s second departure from Kadesh (Numbers 20) the nation set out for "the wilderness" (Deuteronomy 2:1). This was probably the wilderness of Moab to the east of the Dead Sea. They traveled by "the way to the Red Sea" (Deuteronomy 2:1). This probably refers to the caravan route that ran from several miles south of the Dead Sea to Elath. Elath stood at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqabah. Then they "circled" around to the... read more
Review of the Journey (continued)1. The Red sea] i.e. the Gulf of Akaba. On Mt. Seir see Numbers 20:22-29. 4. Through the coast] RV ’through the border,’ as in Numbers 20:18. The Edomites, however, refused to give them a passage through their country: see Numbers 20:14-21. The Israelites accordingly went southward towards Elath and Ezion-geber at the N. end of the Gulf of Akaba (see Deuteronomy 2:8 and on Numbers 20:22), and so round Edom to the country of the Moabites. 9. The Moabites and the... read more
(5) I have given mount Seir unto Esau—It is worthy of notice that the development of Ishmael preceded that of Isaac, and the inheritance of Esau was won earlier than that of Jacob. (Comp. Genesis 25:16 with Genesis 35:23-26, and Genesis 36:31 with Genesis 37:1.) Isaac and Israel were still strangers and sojourners, while the Ishmaelites were princes, with towns and castles, and the Edomites dukes and kings. read more
Deuteronomy 2:30 Professor Andrew Harper remarks on this verse that the writer 'does not mean... to lay upon God the causation of Sihon's obstinacy, so as to make the man a mere helpless victim. His thought rather is, that as God rules all, so to Him must ultimately be traced all that happens in the world. In some sense all acts, whether good or bad, all agencies, whether beneficent or destructive, have their source in, and their power from, Him. But nevertheless men have moral responsibility... read more
THE DIVINE GOVERNMENTDeuteronomy 1:1-46; Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Deuteronomy 3:1-29AFTER these preliminary discussions we now enter upon the exposition. With the exception of the first two verses of chapter 1, concerning which there is a doubt whether they do not belong to Numbers, these three chapters stand out as the first section of our book. Examination shows that they form a separate and distinct whole, not continued in chapter 4; but there has been a great diversity of opinion as to their... read more
3. After the Forty Years and From Conflict to Conquest CHAPTER 2 1. From Kadesh to the land of the Amorites (Deuteronomy 2:1-23 ) 2. The command to possess (Deuteronomy 2:24-25 ) 3. The conquest of Sihon (Deuteronomy 2:26-37 ) The many days in the first verse are the thirty-eight years. We must notice the little word “we.” “We turned and took our journey into the wilderness.” Moses, Aaron, his sons, Joshua, Caleb and the faithful Levites turned back with the unfaithful, murmuring... read more
WILDERNESS WANDERINGS (vs.1-25) From Kadesh Barnea Israel had to virtually retrace their steps, going back toward the Red Sea. Believers today find similar experiences because of lack of faith. Instead of progressing in the path of obedience to God, we must go back to learn afresh what the Red Sea deliverance means, for this speaks of the judgment of sin in the flesh by means of the cross of Christ, and if we do not learn it properly as we begin our wilderness history, we shall have to... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 2:1-37
From Kadesh to Jordan (2:1-3:29)God told the Israelites that if they went through the land of Edom, they were not to seize any territory. This was partly because Edom was Israel’s brother nation (being descended from Esau), and partly because the Edomites’ territory, formerly possessed by the Horites, had been given them by God (2:1-7). Similar restrictions applied to Israel’s relations with the nations of Moab and Ammon, both of which were also related to Israel (being descended from Lot).... read more